Thinking and restrictions

[Garth]

I have been curious about the cave diving sport for a little while now and have enjoyed reading posts on here. I picture myself once I'm trained to be more of a line follower. but I'm interested to here about what goes through your head when your penetrating a tight restriction?

This is to spark conversation about the mental aspect of diving that makes a diver excel and safe while in hostile environment. I'm not cave trained yet so it should be noted that I wish nothing more but to read the discussion. Maybe someday following proper training I can join the discussion.

So what goes through your head?

[Garth]

Maybe I should clarify. We all have heard that diving is mostly mental and in a cave is more than mostly mental I presume. But what do you do to prepare yourself mentally to enter a cave and especially a tight cave?
Maybe your not willing to talk about it but I am interested to hear about it.

[OFG-1]

Good post, there are a lot of restrictions on thinking these days. No one seems to be able to do it anymore.

[RAL]

It depends on how well it goes at the moment.


RAL

[d_berman]

Hi Garth
I'm a self professed line following newbie, so I know there are others with some insight.
From my dry caving days I found a couple "truths"

-That which you first think is "tight" will grow larger (next time you go there it will seem like you go thru much easier as you are more comfortable with it)
-If truely tight you have to mentally calm yourself, otherwise your body will swell up (adrenaline); For each person this is a different realm (and I think mentioned in other threads??); I like to think about the other side of the push. Fortunately(?!?) I have not really had to go there when diving, or at least if I have then I've currently blocked it out.
-With time (and beer??) that which you used to fit thru is no longer possible (or desired??)...

[WJH]

For me it is a 2-part logistics problem. The first part is to analyze the angle of attack--what angle do I need my body and gear in to make it through. The second part, as I'm making the attempt is to be very aware of just how tight the restriction is and analyze whether I am very sure that I can make it back out when I return. I have turned one dive when I was sure I could get through but not totally sure that coming back out would be as easy. Also, for me, the problem ends there, as I don't think that I need to get through any restriction that involves removing gear (other than stages) to make it through--I reserve that option for the problem of getting back out through a restriction that I navigated while wearing my tanks.

WJH

[Sludge]

It's easier to go frontward than backward. If you have a question as to whether or not you can pass the restriction without getting stuck, back into it. That way, you won't find yourself stuck and unable to back up.

This is all academic for me. I avoid minor restrictions and WON'T do major restrictions.

[Garth]

Okay, I'll start for me (an open water/quarry/deco approach).
I start by gathering my equipment putting it in my truck in the same order and in the same place. This might only help me remember to bring everything. Having everything you planned on having seems important to me. When I get to a dive site and I am missing something it changes my mental state IMO.
I also assemble my gear the same order every time. My tech instructor said it was a good habit to get into so it has stuck with me.
I also only implement one or possible two new ideas for a given dive (ex. I have been using a bungee for my deco cylinder to bring it tighter against my body.) helps me keep my mind on what I am doing as well as assessing that one new technique.
I like to talk about diving while getting gear out of truck but not when I'm putting/placing items of gear together.
Aside from the buddy checks, bubble checks and Predive talks about what we would like to do I like to followup with a minute of hang time to relax and hear my breathing. Making sure my hoses are tucked and untangled for reg donation.

I'm relatively new and all of my dives don't require passage through any restrictions. I guess I wouldnt be able to feel the feeling of being wedged until I am but was just curious to hear from those who have.

If you can mentally get through tight cave passages, what couldn't you prepare yourself for?

[ARY]

...
I start by gathering my equipment putting it in my truck in the same order and in the same place. This might only help me remember to bring everything. Having everything you planned on having seems important to me. When I get to a dive site and I am missing something it changes my mental state IMO.
I also assemble my gear the same order every time. My tech instructor said it was a good habit to get into so it has stuck with me.
I also only implement one or possible two new ideas for a given dive (ex. I have been using a bungee for my deco cylinder to bring it tighter against my body.) helps me keep my mind on what I am doing as well as assessing that one new technique.
I like to talk about diving while getting gear out of truck but not when I'm putting/placing items of gear together.
...
... what couldn't you prepare yourself for?

This will make your dive safe but ironically it will also make you complacent and less prepared for disaster after a while. I say make it a wreck! When you have havoc in your garage or truck bed - it does better prepare you for unexpected, no brainer- you have to come up with solutions quick and timely to save your a$$. You buddy can also play an important part in making havoc so you must have different buddies for different missions

[DarkSloss]

Hahaha! I like that...Wreaking havoc to prepare. Don't worry Garth, if you decide to go for your cave cert, your instructor will probably do lots of things to wreack havoc on your dive.

That said, one of the things my instructor in MX taught was the importance of a pre-dive meditation. Not discussing your dive plan, but visualizing in your head for a minute or two as well. See yourself making that jump, and see yourself taking a left at that "T."

When forced to navigate out of the cave during a lights-out/air-share (after a lost diver drill), that meditation will be very helpful to sense of direction. Especially helpful if your instructor takes out your cookies and the arrows from the permanent line. After all, they are really only there to make your life easier, and are never to be relied on.